When you hear “fatalistic acceptance”, some philosophical and religious themes may come to the forefront of your mind. In this article I’ll try to explain what fatalistic acceptance is according to Stoic philosophers, and why it can be used for good.
First and foremost, I’d like to present a general explanation concerning metaphysics, which will aid in your general understanding of the topic.
Metaphysics is a philosophical science which searches for the primary principles that explain what the universe is made of, and how the universe governs itself. Most ancient philosophers thought of the Universe as a deterministic system which they called Nature or God. This makes human beings are only a small part of this vast universe.
Like everything else in nature, human beings struggled against the odds to cement the survival of their species. But the only differentiating factor between them and other beings, is that humans were aware of their existence in the full sense of the word. Therefore, it can be safe to say that we know that there’s something much larger than us.
We also know that most of the events we encounter are indifferent to our existence. For example, nature will continue to exist without our input. In addition to this, the universe is structured and guided by laws. This makes the past, present and future fated.
This understanding can evoke questions like: What is my place in this universe? And do I have a purpose?
Stoics believed in fate, the universal law that puts events into motion. Things will happen no matter what we do, especially if certain conditions are present. Thus, fate in the Stoic sense is neither good or evil, it is only the force that pulls the strings of the universe. A Stoic would say that fate is blind to human activities, even indifferent.
To believe in fatalistic acceptance means that you believe that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable, in other words there are no exceptions in nature. Most importantly, this solidifies the fact that nature never turns a blind eye to any of those events. Therefore, the wise man must learn to accept everything that happens to him, because he cannot change it no matter how hard he tries.
Since the universe is indifferent to our existence, we become a reflection of it as well – and this makes us indifferent to its influence. Like a rock standing firmly as the waves crash around it. The rock is indifferent to the waves, and the waves cannot effect the rock.
Seneca explained this well:
“Fate leads the willing and drags along the reluctant”. – Seneca
The tremendous amount of energy spent fighting fate, is better spent accepting it. Imagine trying to fight the waves of the ocean… One can lead a happy life, if one accepts fate as an indifferent force. But on the contrary choosing to negate fate, means choosing to negate the universe, therefore negating yourself in the process.
Its best to learn how to surrender
As Marcus Aurelius truly knew:
“Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart” – Marcus Aurelius
